LPG Price Hike – The new financial year has just started, and it’s already bringing some unwanted surprises. One of the biggest shocks for Indian households is the recent hike in LPG gas cylinder prices. From April 9, the cost of domestic cooking gas has gone up quite a bit, and it is definitely affecting the monthly budget of families across the country.
Whether you use a regular domestic LPG connection or benefit from the Ujjwala Yojana, this price increase is going to hit everyone. Let’s break it all down in a simple way.
Why Have LPG Prices Increased Again
This is probably the first question on everyone’s mind. Why now? And why so much?
According to government sources, the price hike is being done to balance the losses that oil marketing companies have faced over the last year or so. These companies reportedly suffered a loss of around forty three thousand crore rupees. So now, the LPG rates are being adjusted to cover some of those losses.
Another possible reason is related to excise duty and global price fluctuations, though the government has not changed the prices of petrol and diesel yet. The Union Oil Minister has mentioned that LPG rates are reviewed every two to three weeks, so this may not be the only revision we see this month.
How This Affects Your Monthly Budget
Let’s face it. Cooking gas is a basic necessity for almost every home. Whether you are in a metro city or a small town, LPG is something that nearly every kitchen depends on. So, when the price of a cylinder goes up, it directly affects your monthly spending.
Families that fall under the Ujjwala Yojana will feel the burden even more. Although they do get subsidies, the recent hike has also led to an increase in the price for Ujjwala beneficiaries. The subsidy amount might remain the same, but the total cost has gone up, which means more money has to be paid from their own pocket.
Many households are now being forced to rework their monthly expenses. Some are reducing the frequency of refills, while others are cutting down on other non-essential items just to balance things out.
Latest LPG Cylinder Prices – City-Wise Breakdown
The new rates are now applicable across the country, and the increase is nearly uniform for both subsidized and non-subsidized users. Here’s a look at the new LPG prices in major cities.
In Delhi:
- Non-subsidized users were earlier paying around eight hundred three rupees, but now it’s gone up to eight hundred fifty three
- Ujjwala beneficiaries were paying five hundred three, which has now been increased to five hundred fifty three
In Mumbai:
- The latest price stands at around eight hundred fifty two and a half
In Kolkata:
- The cost has gone up to around eight hundred seventy nine
In Chennai:
- People are now paying eight hundred sixty eight and a half
In Lucknow:
- The price is now eight hundred ninety and a half
In Patna:
- LPG cylinders are being sold for nine hundred fifty one
In Jaipur:
- The rate has increased to around eight hundred fifty six and a half
In Dehradun:
- The cost has reached eight hundred fifty and a half
Prices in Other Important Cities
Some other cities are also seeing sharp increases. Here are a few updates:
- Shimla now has a cylinder cost of around eight hundred ninety seven and a half
- Bhopal is at eight hundred fifty eight and a half
- Gandhinagar is showing rates close to eight hundred seventy eight and a half
- Srinagar has one of the highest rates at nine hundred sixty nine
- Indore stands at eight hundred eighty one
- Visakhapatnam’s rate is around eight hundred sixty one
- Kargil tops the list with a shocking nine hundred eighty five and a half
Clearly, the impact of this hike is being felt across the board, whether you live in a hill town, a capital city, or a rural area.
What You Can Do
While we can’t control the prices, we can try a few small things to manage better:
- Use gas more efficiently by cooking in bulk or using pressure cookers
- Avoid unnecessary heating or reheating of food
- Switch to electric induction or solar cooktops occasionally, if possible
- Check for any local subsidy or refill schemes that can help cut costs
Also, keep an eye on announcements from the oil ministry, as more revisions might happen soon.
The LPG price hike has definitely added pressure to the average Indian household. At a time when inflation is already making essentials more expensive, an increase in cooking gas prices makes daily life even harder. While the reasons for the price hike may be linked to global markets and company losses, the direct impact is being felt by common people.
It’s a good idea to stay updated on prices, manage usage wisely, and look for any new government relief measures that might come in the coming weeks.